Is the ability to throw a 90mph fastball something a person is born with?

[ddeder]

My hardest throw from a flat surface clocks at just over 60 mph.

I've heard of Jr. High kids that can throw 70 mph.

Some of the pros clock close to 100 mph.

With enough throwing, can anyone achieve 70, 80, 90 mph?

Is it something you are born with? Is it technique?

 

[notfred]

I've never seen an infant throw 90mph, so I'm going to have to say you're not born with the ability.

 

[DougK62]

Of course you aren't born with it. However, some people genetically will have an easier time doing it.

 

[blackdogdeek]

clearly, not just anyone can reach 90mph, even with years of practice.

 

[Argo]

It's all about your tendants. And since tendants cannot be changed in any way by working out or stretching, I'd say you're born with it. However, it takes a lot of practice to reach your limit so not everybody whose arm is capable of throwing 95mph will actually be able to throw 95.

 

[Doggiedog]

Its probably both genetic and mechanics.

I threw as hard as I could and could only reach the mid 60s. This one young hispanic guy in front of me who was about 6'3" and looked like a pitcher was whipping it as hard as he could and only hit 75.

 

[Whisper]

I'd say that there's a certain genetic aspect to it...otherwise, almost everyone in the majors would be throwing 95+ mph. Most anyone with proper mechanics, muscle development, etc. could probably throw at least 70-80mph, but after that I'd guess it takes a LOT of practice, and a little luck in the gene department.

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: notfred
I've never seen an infant throw 90mph, so I'm going to have to say you're not born with the ability.

LMAO!

Honestly though, the leverage is created by having muscles with longer tendons between muscle and joint, it creates greater leverage. These people would not be very good if the ball actually weighed something and they won't be the guys who lift heavy weights in the gym.

When it comes to strength, sure, a well trained triceps, front delt and chest along with abs and legs has a lot to do with it too.

 

[KnickNut3]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
clearly, not just anyone can reach 90mph, even with years of practice.

Very true.

Some have more natural ability, although obviuosly the strength of your arm has a lot of bearing on it.

It's just like anything else. Some people are naturally good at doing math, and some have a harder time. However, the person that studies math for years but isn't as "naturally" good will still have more mathematical ability than someone who may be "naturally" good at it but has never studied it.

To your topic, I've been clocked at 82 or so, and I'm sure with some practice I could get up to 87-88. Could I ever throw in the high 90s, regardless of coaching or training? Probably not. But if I had decided to be a foot fairy and skip baseball, I wouldn't be able to throw close to that.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Its probably both genetic and mechanics.

I threw as hard as I could and could only reach the mid 60s. This one young hispanic guy in front of me who was about 6'3" and looked like a pitcher was whipping it as hard as he could and only hit 75.

The problem with this is you guys probably haven't trained your arm to be able to throw in the 80s or 90s. My HS friend was throwing in the mid 70s throughout high school. He then started routines for about a year (during college) that increased the strenght of his arm so he had a faster release. After doing that for a few months he was about to the low-mid 80s. He then went back and reviewed his basic mechanics and was able to consistently throw in the mid-80s after improving on things. He's a sophmore in college right now, and who knows where he'll eventually top out.

So while he was probably a natural born athlete with good genetics, he also worked on his mechanics to further his genetic abilities. Like you said, it's both genetics and mechanics.

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: notfred
I've never seen an infant throw 90mph, so I'm going to have to say you're not born with the ability.

 

[mobobuff]

I wish I could clock my throws, I've always been able to throw really hard and I was curious how fast I could get it going.

Do some batting cages have radar spedometers?

One of this year's graduating students from my old high school plays for UofM now, last I heard he could throw mid 90s on a good day. The guy's an all-sport and his arms are huge, so I'm not gonna doubt it.

 

[mugs]

Yeah, I think it's something not everyone can achieve. Similar to how some people are "natural" sprinters, and some are distance runners. My college health prof described it as something relating to fast-twitch muscles vs. something else.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

A good portion of how hard you will throw is determined by genetics. Nonetheless, good mechanics, good coaching, good conditioning can add a lot to how hard you can throw. I'd say that depending on the person and his mechanics when he starts, a pitcher can add anywhere from 5 to 12 mph on a fastball with good coaching.

 

[Argo]

And, oh, btw - 50% of throwing power comes from the legs So I guess I would work on my legs to throw harder.

 

[rh71]

I used to play 3B so I had a pretty good arm (threw over at a 3/4s angle). I've lost it since I lost interest in baseball and hardly play throwing sports. I'm sure the velocity in my throws have decreased too... I think you can work at it and then everyone has their peak. Mechanics is a huge part of pitching speed on top of it all.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: mugs
Yeah, I think it's something not everyone can achieve. Similar to how some people are "natural" sprinters, and some are distance runners. My college health prof described it as something relating to fast-twitch muscles vs. something else.

Slow twitch. Fast twitch v slow twitch muscle fibres.

 

[Crusty]

Before I quit playing baseball, I could throw up to 80mph(mind you I was a pitcher). I stopped playing when I was 16, as I needed more time for other activities

I couldn't throw that hard until I just stopped playing, and it wasn't until I was 14 or so that I could start throwing 55-60+.

Now if I try to throw a ball that hard, it won't even go that close(im almost 19). But if I start throwing more often again, im sure I could get it back up fast..if not faster.

So I would say that it requires some skill...but for the most part it's natural.

 

[neovan]

i think its the mechanics of your arm. strength training and a lot of stretching wouldn't hurt either. i've never actually clocked my pitches too but my local bowling alley has a speedometer on how fast the bowling ball goes. I bowl a consistent 12 mph with 14lb ball and topped out at 19mph. I can bowl a 10lb ball at 22mph.

 

[preslove]

No, you aren't born with the ability, you have to break your arm first....

 

[GrJohnso]

It's pretty much all been said, but my take is it's a mix... For one, if you don't learn proper mechanics early while you are still developing, there is only so much you can add by training at a later age. Overhand throwing is not what the shoulder was designed to do at birth.

I started throwing things the day I could pick something up. I just loved throwing things. I played baseball through college. I started pitching in highschool without any particular coaching on mechanics. Luckily I had some good basics I had picked up along the way.

When I entered college I was an average build guy of 5'10, 170lbs or so. Strong legs and core, never hit a gym.

Anyway, first time I was clocked was when I tried out for my college team. Think I hit about 82mph. My average fastball during a game was about 81... Two years later after the addition of some basic high-rep low weight weight training my average went up to about 84-85. I had gained about 15lbs in muscle due to conditioning and just finishing growing over the couple years there. My size was the same... Some scouts thought I may have had a couple more mph in me, but my "stuff" wasn't worth the effort. Had to get a real job and drop the dream...

About 5 years after my last college game I was clocked again when I tried out for a MABL club team. I had been playing beach volleyball to keep my arm/shoulder in shape... Anyway, still managed to break into the low 80's...

I have a friend who played some baseball up until the age of 13, hasn't touched it since. Played other sports though. In college he was clocked at 90mph yet he didn't play. At 30years old he can still hit the 80's... He's 6'2, 190lbs muscle.. tri-athlete..

My cousin played a little baseball as a kid, but dropped it by 13 as well. He didn't play any other sports competativly until some college intramurals.. Played a little softball, football, etc... Anyway, I've tried to teach him to throw for years. It just can't be done. He can barely break 60mph. He's 6'1, desk jockey.. 180lbs now..

Anyway, it takes all types. Train your body early, learn good mechanics, and hope for some good luck.. Oh, and if you have a kid, teach him to throw left handed.. That would have been enough for me to at least get some minor league play time.. But no, had to be the average right handed guy.. But I'm not bitter..

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

To highlight GrJohnso's point, to make it to the majors you need much more than a mid-80's- low 90's fastball. These days to make it anywhere in baseball, you need a fastball in the 90's and a good second pitch, or a mid 80's fastball with incredible other pitches and great movement on your fastball. Being a lefty also helps

 

[NakaNaka]

Hard fastball will get you noticed, but a Jamie Moyer like change up or a nice curve is what will get you the bucks. Not that any of us are going to the pros lol.

 

[ThePresence]

You see kids in the Little League WS hitting 60 MPH. And they're how old, 11? 12?

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
You see kids in the Little League WS hitting 60 MPH. And they're how old, 11? 12?

Most of the kids that throw that hard, that young blow out their arms before they can do anything with it. These kids are throwing sliders and curveballs, and all sorts of weird pitches that ruin their arm if they're not thrown properly. At that age, proper technique is uber-important because the arm can't withstand the stress of throwing a slider or a curve.